Latjor,

I have just been made aware off-list that I must have mistaken your late
mother for Mrs. Ndow, the former Head Teacher at S.K., that Mrs. Ndow's late
husband, Chips, was a brother to your dad. Please excuse the mix-up.

May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!

Kabir.


On 5/2/07, Kabir Njaay <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Latjor,
>
> Please accept and extend to the rest of the family my heart-felt
> condolence on the passing away of your dear mother. I remember her well as
> Mrs Ndow, my Head Teacher that year I spent in primary six at Serekunda
> Primary School. Teaching was indeed her calling. I can still recall her
> authoritative voice whenever she spoke.
>
> May Her Soul Rest in Eternal Peace!
>
> Kabir.
>
>
>  On 5/2/07, africa fest <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > G-Lers,
> >
> > On behalf of my family, I wish to express our gratitude for your concern
> > and prayers for the passing of our dear mum.
> >
> > Below is a short write-up I prepared (under much duress) to insert in
> > the Funeral Program. Hope it sheds more light on this gentle giant. She was
> > 71 years old and not 72 as some are reporting.
> >
> > Latjor
> >
> > BELINDA  GEORGETTE  MARY-MAGDALENE  BIDWELL (nee FAAL)
> >
> > "To thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day,
> > Thou canst not then be false to any man."
> >
> > It would be a futile exercise to make any attempt to write a short
> > biography to fit the spatial requirements of a compact Funeral Mass
> > Programme, on the earthly life of Belinda G. Bidwell.  Thus, this will be an
> > attempt to lay bare the varied pieces of fabric that may bring to light the
> > noble and just life of this giant of a lady we come to pay tribute to.
> >
> > Belinda Georgette was born on April 22, 1936 in Banjul, The Gambia. The
> > second child of Gabriel Julian Faal and Matilda Faal (nee Johnson) of 28
> > Lancaster Street, Banjul.  At an early age, it became evident that here was
> > a true gift from heaven.
> >
> > Having lost three of her siblings at a tender age, she took up the
> > responsibility of helping her mother and father raise her other
> > siblings.  It was during those formative years that her maternal instincts
> > became highly developed. It was to become her hallmark for the rest of her
> > life.  It could be said that in the course of her life, she has raised, not
> > a village, but an entire city!  A mother, who never turned her back to
> > anyone who came to her seeking assistance or love.  Among these, she was
> > known simply as: "Mummy", or  "Aunty Linda". Her embrace of them was
> > complete and unreserved.  "They are all God's children", she would often
> > remark.
> >
> > Belinda attended St. Joseph's Preparatory School where her intellectual
> > potential quickly became evident.  She excelled in all her studies while she
> > was at St. Joseph's High School.  Upon completion, she enrolled at the then
> > newly established Yundum Teacher Training College.
> >
> > In 1962, she obtained a scholarship to Oxford University, UK and
> > graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree, in the process becoming one of the
> > first Gambian women to study at this prestigious institution.  Upon her
> > return home, she taught at St. Joseph's Secondary School and later as a
> > Lecturer at Yundum Teacher Training College.
> >
> > In the 1970s, Belinda's passion in the pursuit of education remained
> > unabated.  She went for further studies to Reading University, UK,
> > University of Chicago, USA and undertook many more short training courses in
> > faraway lands such as the former USSR, Germany and Australia.   Academic
> > disciplines she studied ranged from Geography, Environmental Studies,
> > Linguistics, Mathematics, and English Literature.
> >
> > Her love for sharing her knowledge when and where it was needed, brought
> > her out of retirement.  She volunteered to teach, free of charge,
> > Mathematics and Geography at St. Augustine's Secondary Technical School.
> >
> > While Belinda was blazing a trail as a role model for Gambians in the
> > academic world, she was also busy raising her family.  This difficult act of
> > balancing the quest for family stability while pursuing her academic and
> > career interests was a marvel to watch.
> >
> > She was married to the late James J. Ndow with whom she had all her five
> > children.  The untimely death of her husband in 1976, left her to raise
> > alone her very young family, the  oldest of whom was only eleven years at
> > the time, as well as all the other relatives she had adopted.  She raised
> > them all in a loving and fiercely protective environment.  She gave her all
> > ensuring that they had a good education, teaching them the importance of
> > family, the joy of sharing, caring, giving, especially to those in need, and
> > above all to always have a close relationship with the Creator.
> >
> > Belinda had also acquired important life skills at a tender age at the
> > feet of her mother.  These would come in handy during those many years she
> > had to struggle to raise the family.  Her sewing skills helped generate
> > extra income for the family.  Ever the industrious woman, she imparted the
> > joy of purposeful labor on her children.  Teaching them skills in the art of
> > Haute Couture. Over the years, she has designed many a bride's wedding dress
> > and clothes for all occasions.
> >
> > In 1990, after all her children had left for the United States and
> > France having reached adulthood, she finally decided to remarry and enjoy
> > the rest of her life with a companion.  She married Dr. Ernest Bidwell and
> > remained with him until his passing away in November 2006.
> >
> > In 2001, Belinda's career took another direction.  Responding to the
> > call to serve her beloved country, she accepted the position of Deputy
> > Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of The Gambia.  During her
> > five-year tenure, she became the Speaker of the House, thus becoming the
> > first Gambian woman to ascend to this position.  Some of her major
> > accomplishments include the construction of the Assembly annex, ensuring
> > professionalism and staff development, and of course, mentoring both
> > deputies and staff.  Here, her motherly qualities again came to the fore,
> > caring for and embracing all no matter their political leanings.  She
> > emphasized that one must always have the interest of the nation first in
> > making any decision that would impact the lives of people. No wonder she
> > became known within the corridors of the National Assembly as "Ma".
> >
> > Belinda was a devout practicing Christian.  Whether working, relaxing
> > with friends or family, she was always immersed in prayer.  She loved to
> > sing sacred hymns and was blessed with a beautiful angelic voice.  No matter
> > the day, time or place, there was always a song of praise to her Maker
> > emanating from her. Her devotion to her faith was complete and unquestioned.
> >
> >
> > Belinda was ever the optimist.  No matter how great a problem, she would
> > place her faith in God, confident that He will guide her find an answer.  As
> > she would often say, "God will provide.  Just have faith."
> >
> >
> > While many thinkers and philosophers through the ages have contemplated
> > on the true nature of Love - this sustainer of life, in truth, it is only
> > fully understood when it is made visible.  Belinda, in her brief journey
> > through this world has shown us how beautiful true Love can be, when it is
> > embrace and lived fully and completely.
> >
> > Belinda is survived by her mother, sisters, children, grandchildren,
> > adopted children, aunts, cousins, relatives and all whom she has touched in
> > her special way.
> >
> > May her gentle soul ever remain in eternal peace!
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________________
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